5th January 2013   East Manchester JFL Division 2 League Cup SF U/8 Stalybridge Celtic Juniors Blues 2 – 3 Stockport Junior Blues Goals: Jacob, Jack WoM: Holly ……………………………………………………………….. By Andy Walker The Blues, seemingly full to the brim with chocolates, turkey and Christmas Pudding took to the field to try to progress to the final of the Cup. Thomas, Holly and CJ formed the backline with Jacob excited to be starting in an unfamiliar left wing role, Matthew on the right and Jack up top.  Josh & Joe sat on the sidelines admiring all the new boots on show. Much like 2012, 2013 didn’t start well! Seconds after a snapshot flew wide of Thomas’ post, Stockport took a throw and their forward struck a firm shot low into the corner of the net.. 0-1 ...Happy New Year kids! St... Read the rest of this article...

15th December 2012   East Manchester JFL Division 2 League Cup QF U/8 Stalybridge Celtic Juniors Blues 1 – 1 Avro JFC Goal: Joe MoM: Josh   U/8 Stalybridge Celtic Juniors Whites 1 – 1 Avro JFC Goal: Zane MoM: Lewis   Aggregate 2:2; Stalybridge Celtic Juniors won 2-1 on penalties ……………………………………………………………….. By Andy Walker A severely depleted squad, ravaged by illness, saw a very mix-and-match “bare bones” pair of teams take to the field in a very tricky tie against a strong Avro team. THE BLUES Thomas took his place in goal with Holly in defence. CJ was tasked with patrolling the midfield area behind Josh, Joe and Jacob who was deployed in an unfamiliar right wing role. Despite this, the Blues started strongly. Thomas played a great ball to Josh who p... Read the rest of this article...

1st December 2012   East Manchester Junior Football League U/8 Stalybridge Celtic Juniors Blues 7 (maybe 8!) – 0 AFC Stanley Reds   Goals: Jack (1 maybe 2), Matthew x2, Joe x3, Holly MoM: CJ ……………………………………………………………….. By Andy Walker Thomas took his place in goal with Jacob and CJ ahead of him. Jack, Joe and Matthew formed a formidable forward line.  Holly and Josh took their places on the bench….. in the case of Josh this was just as JACK scored a goal to take the lead for the Blues as “someone” got stuck at every set of traffic lights en route to Curzon.  As a result that certain someone can only report that Jack scored it second hand as that someone was still making his way from the car and didn’t see it. I just about caught MATTHEW doubling the... Read the rest of this article...

10th November 2012   East Manchester Junior Football League- Primary Cup U/8 Stalybridge Celtic Juniors Blues 2 – 0 Marple Athletic   Goals: Jack, Matthew MoM: Matthew ……………………………………………………………….. By Andy Walker The Blues started with Thomas in goal and CJ sandwiched between the 4J’s: Jacob, Josh, Jack and Joe.  Holly and Matthew were the subs. The first time a Celtic player touched it was when Jack got back brilliantly to clear off the line after a surging dribble from Marple.  This was closely followed by a good save by Thomas after Celtic were again wide open. Josh then fired the Blues into life- he kept the ball in wide on the left and went on a great dribble before playing a neat ball in to Jack, who laid it on to Joe but he could not quite keep it in. It was a p... Read the rest of this article...

27th October 2012   East Manchester Junior Football League U/8 Stalybridge Celtic Juniors Blues 2 – 2 Avro JFC   Goals: Joe, Matthew MoM: Thomas ……………………………………………………………….. By Andy Walker   With no Jack or Jacob to call upon, the Blues did not have the luxury of any subs. Thomas took his place between the sticks, with Holly at the back and CJ covering the holding midfield role. Matthew and Joe started on the wings with Josh as the lone striker.   Avro came out of the blocks with some purpose, winning a couple of corners and putting Celtic under real pressure from the off.  Holly blocked well to avert another attack before a shot whistled past Thomas’ right hand post into the side netting.   Joe and Matthew continually found that they were needed inside and deep in t... Read the rest of this article...

29th September 2012   East Manchester Junior Football League U/8 Stalybridge Celtic Juniors Blues 5 – 0 Marple Athletic   Goals: Jack x4, Josh MoM: Matthew ……………………………………………………………….. By Andy Walker The Blues lined up with a familiar look of Thomas in goal, Jacob and CJ at the back, Matthew and Josh in the wide midfield slots and Jack up front. Holly and Joe took their turn on the bench. A long run by Jack where he just “ran out of pitch” was followed by Matthew battling to win back the ball. A trademark drag-back bought him time to feed JACK who made no mistake with a fine shot to give the Blues a very early 1-0 lead. CJ relished his deep-lying midfield role and spent the first half mopping up well whenever the ball threatened to trouble the Celtic back line.  When... Read the rest of this article...

22nd September 2012 U8’s East Manchester Junior Football League Stalybridge Celtic Juniors Blues 2 – 2 Medlock Rangers   Goals: Jack, Joe (with honourable mentions for a ghost Jack goal and ridiculously disallowed Josh goal!) MoM: Jack ……………………………………………………………….. By Andy Walker The Blues took to the pitch with Thomas in goal, Holly and Jacob at the back, Matthew and Joe in the wide positions and Jack down the middle with Josh and CJ the subs. Thomas was called into action straight away when he made a comfortable save holding onto a shot from distance.  His accurate kick found Jack whose incisive run and cross was well taken by the Medlock keeper. Matthew immediately showed his strength, battling well in midfield and forcing a corner. The set piece was cleared and a swift coun... Read the rest of this article...

8th September 2012 U8’s East Manchester Junior Football League Stalybridge Celtic Juniors Blues 1 – 1 Cheshire Boys Goal: Josh ……………………………………………………………….. The Blues lined up for their first match of the season on a surprisingly hot morning with Thomas in goal, protected by a back 2 of Holly and Jacob. Matthew, Jack and Josh provided the forward thrust with Joe and CJ as subs. Celtic started well.  An early Josh throw found Jack in space and just as he was getting into his stride he was tripped from behind and clattered into a defenders foot. Jack got gingerly to his feet and looked bemused to be told the game would re-start with a drop ball. Josh was very lively in the opening exchanges and his burst down the wing made significant progress for the Blues.  He worked a yard of space ... Read the rest of this article...

Season Goals Man of Matches William Frankish 16 William Frankish 6 Lewis Ellis 14 Harvey Swann 6 Jack Forrester 11 Thomas Reynolds 5 William Hughes 10 ... Read the rest of this article...

Blues: Most Improved Player: Harvey Swann Players Player of the Year: William Frankish Managers Player of the Year: Jack Forrester Whites: Most Improved Player: Cameron Preston Players Player of the Year: Jamie Bowden Managers Player of the Year: Thomas Reynolds